Replying to Getting harassed for short ski poles

Prepare for a rant...

So, Ive been skiing with my gf and her family a few times this year and they're a group of gapers (they're pretty good but they're gapers) and other gapers in general are really judgmental Ive noticed. One big thing they judge me on are my poles. They just go on and on about them. Im almost 5'8 and i think my poles are like 36". I work for panda poles and my boss is really smart about all things skiing and he doesn't comment on them. Anyway I'm not really a park skier, i ski all mountain, i just enjoy a shorter pole. They don't get int the way, I can still traverse just as fast if not faster than them, and i just really don't need a longer ski pole until I get a bit taller.

So I always get comments on why my poles are so short and they make fun of me for it.
Like:
Gaper 1: "Why are your poles so short"
Gaper 2: "He thinks they're 'stylish'"

um no i actually just don't need 4 foot poles

gaper: "you don't even use your poles when you turn you're supposed to pole plant to turn"

umm no?? my edges help me turn. My poles help with balance and traversing thats about it. Ever notice how they start kids off WITHOUT poles so they learn to use their edges and what not? Yeah crazy


But really I'm sorry for the rant but its getting ridiculous. My poles are short because I'm not traversing 24/7, i have bend in my knees when i ski so i don't need poles that touch the ground when I'm standing straight up, and my edges are what turn my ski, not my poles. But thank you for your insight gaper, its very much appreciated.



/rant